Benita E. Traynham

Benita Elizabeth Traynham was born September 10, 1965, in Albany, New York, and earned her wings on March 22, 2025. She was preceded in death by her stepfather Herman L. Traynham, beloved maternal grandparents, James and Mamie White; great grandmother Amelia Washington; Uncles Ulysses and Willie James White; and great uncle Roosevelt Washington.

Primarily raised by her grandparents, Benita learned many valuable skills and values early. She learned southern cooking and how to maintain a stable house by her grandmother. Her strength to persevere through difficult times was taught to her by her grandfather. Her relationship with her grandparents provided her with a solid foundation to live life at its fullest regardless of your circumstances.

She attended Sacred Heart and Shaker High School. She earned her GED after having to leave Shaker High because of medical issues. She worked hard to obtain various medical certifications to gain employment in the medical field. She was a Primary Care Technician at Albany Medical Center and a Certified Nurse Assistant at The Albany County Nursing Facility. Due to medical issues, Benita retired in 2010.

Benita is Arbor Hill! She lived on Second St (1981), then on Colonie St in 1988. Lived there for over 30 years by the statue. Dudley Heights and recently Ida Yarbrough. As the youth would say, she is a part of C-Block, Swan, Second, Dudley and the Yard!

Benita had a family at home, but she also had another family named the Lewis’. Kim and Benita have been friends since birth. There is no stronger bond than the one they had for each other. If they need a definition of friendship, theirs is one that would be in the books. The Lewis’s embraced Benita as a daughter, sister and auntie for over five decades.

Benita leaves behind to cherish her memory, her mother Marie A. White, her daughter Yalonda Walley, her granddaughter Samya Raynita Lorraine Jenkins, her brother Jacques L. Traynham (Cheryl J. Smith-Traynham) her best friends Kim Morman (Jerry) and Stacey Jones, great uncle David White, great aunt Carrie-Lou White-Russell, Six nieces: Jasmine Traynham, Quintara Crane, Shardonne’ Traynham, Nichole Traynham, Vaetaria Barcelo, NaQuita Clark, four great Nieces, four great nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend visitation on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 11:00 am -12:00p pm, with a Celebration of Life service to begin at 12:00pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie NY 12205.

This service will be available by Livestream - and will begin on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, starting at 11:50am. The link to view will appear on this website page.